Integral over scaling function

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of the interpolating scaling function φ(x), particularly focusing on the integral of φ(x) over the entire real line and its implications for a related exercise in lecture notes. Participants explore the nature of φ(x) and its relationship to other mathematical concepts, including the Dirac delta function and the construction of continuous functions from discrete data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the integral \(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\phi(x) dx = 1\) holds, suggesting it is necessary for a specific exercise in the lecture notes.
  • Another participant proposes that φ(x) resembles the Dirac delta function, referencing external sources for clarification.
  • A different participant asserts that φ(x) is not the Dirac delta function and provides a visual representation of a 7th order interpolation scheme.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the integral equaling 1, discussing the behavior of φ(x) in relation to a constant function and its implications for integration over specific intervals.
  • Another participant clarifies their notation for φ(x) and discusses the concept of extending a discrete function g(x) to a continuous function f(x) using scaling functions, suggesting a method for integrating f(x) based on the properties of φ(x).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the integral of φ(x) equals 1. There are competing views regarding the nature of φ(x) and its relationship to the Dirac delta function, as well as differing interpretations of its properties in the context of the exercise.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the specific properties of φ(x), including where it vanishes and how it behaves in different contexts. There are also unresolved questions regarding the assumptions made in the integration process and the definitions of the functions involved.

Derivator
Messages
147
Reaction score
0
Hi,

[itex]\phi(x)[/itex] is an interpolating scaling function (also called fundamental function or Dubuc-Deslauriers function) as given on pages 155 to 158 in these lecture notes: http://pages.unibas.ch/comphys/comphys/TEACH/WS07/course.pdf

Why does the follwoing yield:

[itex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\phi(x) dx = 1?[/itex]

At least, I assume this yields, because otherwise I cannot show the equality of the first equation of the exercise on page 158 of the above lecture notes:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/304/capturevm.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
φ(x) seems to be the Dirac delta function. Check it out on Wikipedia if you are not familiar with it. Most authors use δ(x).
 
no, its definitely not a dirac delta function.

In a 7-th order interpolation scheme it looks like:

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3887/capturekp.png

by the way: i noticed this thread is probably in the wrong forum. Could someone move it to 'Atomic, Solid State, Comp. Physics', please?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Derivator said:
Hi,
Why does the follwoing yield:
[itex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\phi(x) dx = 1?[/itex]

I don't think that is true.

I only got a hazy grasp of those notes, but, thinking about the case in 1 dimension, the constant function f(x) = 1, when scaled as [itex]f(x)\phi(x)[/itex] is still the constant function 1. (I haven't mastered the notation. By [itex]\phi(x)[/itex], I mean a function such that when x is between the integers k and k + 1, [itex]\phi(x)[/itex] is the sum of the interpolating scaling function centered at k and the interpolating scaling function centered at k + 1.) So one can say that the integral of [itex](1)( \phi(x))[/itex] from k-1/2 to k+1/2 is 1.
 
To get my notation straight, I'll use [itex]\phi(x)[/itex] to mean a (single) scaling function centered at 0 which vanishes for x < -1/2 and x > 1/2. (I don't know where the scaling functions in those notes are supposed to vanish. This is just to test an idea.)

If g(x) is a function that is zero except at integers, then I gather the idea of interpolating scaling functions is extend g to a continuous function f(x). Let's say that for x between the integer values k and k + 1, we compute f(x) by adding two functions. The first function [itex]f_{k,1}(x)[/itex] is g(k) times the scaling function [itex]\phi(x-k)[/itex] and the second function [itex]f_{k,2}(x)[/itex] is g(k+1) times the scaling function [itex]\phi(x - (k+1) )[/itex].

When you integrate f(x) over all real numbers, its integral can be regarded as the sum of integrals of these functions. Working the exercise might rely on arguing that the sum of these integrals is term-by-term equal to the sum of the non-zero values of g(x).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K